Contemporary and Traditional Chinese Furniture – What to Expect

0

Shares

Contemporary Chinese furniture is simple and graceful in design with sleek, clean lines and elegant proportions. Chinese furniture has risen in popularity in the west because its subtle sophistication and timeless designs fit perfectly in either traditional or contemporary style homes.

With contemporary Chinese furniture, even small pieces are not only beautiful to look at but are highly functional. In many homes with space at a premium, contemporary Chinese furniture can serve a dual purpose, such as a wooden trunk which can double up as a side table with storage.

Traditional Chinese furniture designs and antique Chinese furniture can be highly ornate with exquisite craftsmanship. Some have elaborate woodcarvings or are painted with colourful scenes of rural life, ancient battles, dragon myths or mountain top monasteries.

A room decorated in a Chinese style should be kept simple and uncluttered to bring peace, harmony and balance to the space. Colours typically used in Chinese furniture include bold red, black and flashes of gold. Traditional influences such as robust shiny lacquered surfaces, stressed edging and brass hinges and handles can also been found in contemporary style furniture.

Chinese style designs are simple, attractive and timeless. Whether you choose to decorate your home in a contemporary Chinese or traditional style, Chinese furniture makes a bold statement. With each piece a work of art in its own right, Chinese furniture is a wonderful way to show off your creativity and give added wow factor to your home.

Black Lacquered Furniture

Black lacquered furniture designs have a classic, yet contemporary look, which suits all types of homes from traditional to more modern. Oriental black lacquered furniture is created by painstakingly sealing the wood in several thin layers of high gloss varnish resulting in a robust and gleaming finish, which can withstand the rigours of everyday household use.

With black lacquered furniture, the chosen wood such as pine or solid ash is lacquered seven times to produce the unmistakable black lacquered furniture of the Orient. Many designs today feature antiquated yet contemporary brass handles and wooden edging detail so you can choose just how contemporary or traditional you want your black lacquered furniture to be. From coffee tables, to console and dressing tables, dining tables, TV display units and sideboards, black lacquered furniture is available in all sizes and styles to suit every room in the home.

Origins of Black Lacquer Furniture

Oriental black lacquered furniture was commonly found in the temples and palaces and homes of the wealthy upper classes. Four basic styles of lacquered furniture design were used throughout the Ming and Qing Dynasties which lasted from 1368 – 1911. These styles included carving the lacquer, using black lacquer to fill in a design engraved into the wood and rubbing it flat, outlining the black lacquer and inlaying mother-of-pearl into the lacquer.

White Lacquered Furniture

White lacquered furniture can be made from a variety of woods, such as reclaimed pine, which is hand finished with a gleaming white lacquer finish. White lacquered furniture has a fresh, clean, contemporary look, and includes beds, side tables, coffee tables, trunks, console tables, mirrors and large sideboards all elegantly hand brushed in a linen finish. This style of furniture has increased in popularity in recent times and can come with attractive and elegant features such as antiquated yet contemporary brass flip up handles and sanded edges which subtly reveal the warm waxed wood underneath.

White lacquer furniture in particular has a lovely calm and tranquil feel which is perfect for the bedroom. Think of your bedroom with a double bed, chest of drawers, night stands and a wardrobe, all with a peaceful white finish, with details such as rectangular brass handles and stressed edging. White bedroom furniture can be accessorised by colourful artwork or bed throws. Crisp white living room furniture too can be enhanced by rugs, paintings or vases containing large flower displays to add a burst of colour.

This style of furniture works wonderfully in large airy spaces with bold or natural wall coverings and decorative lighting. It also works well in smaller rooms too. Here elegant white furniture can create a sense of increased space and light, in comparison to dark furniture which can tend to make a room feel smaller.

Whether you choose to contrast your lighter decor with the bold, clean lines of traditional Chinese-style black lacquered furniture, or prefer to off-set bold artwork or decoration with the more subtle linen white tones, Chinese furniture will really enhance your home. By choosing lacquered furniture you can create a wonderful environment where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of your interior design efforts for years to come.

Traditional Chinese Furniture

Traditional Chinese furniture demonstrates superb craftsmanship developed over centuries. Lacquer is prominent in traditional Chinese furniture with wood treated to a dark brown or shiny black finish and with hand carved or painted scenery, gold leaf overlay or mother of pearl inlays. Colours used are varied but include red which represents good luck and happiness and yellow or gold which represents health and long life.

The peak of Chinese traditional furniture manufacture was the period between the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ming furniture represented simple structure, wonderful craftsmanship and minimal decoration which revealed the natural beauty of the wood. Qing furniture was larger in size and elaborate engravings were popular. Handcrafted traditional Chinese furniture makes a fascinating centre-piece for your home. From wedding cabinets to decorative chests, ornamental stools, two door storage cabinets, side tables and oriental screens, Chinese furniture makes a wonderful addition to any setting and is a work of art in its own right.

Having been a part of e-commerce now for over 10 years. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with folks ...
Having been a part of e-commerce now for over 10 years. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with folks ...
Having been a part of e-commerce now for over 10 years. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with folks ...